Anti-gel fuel composition

Abstract

An antigel fuel additive contains a polar long chain oxygenated hydrocarbon having a high molecular weight and having an acid number of 25 to 125, and preferably 50 to 100. The oxygenated hydrocarbon is combined with a hydrophillic precipitant such as a glycol ether, and hexanol, and a low molecular weight polyethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The additive need only be added in about 0.3 to 1 part per thousand parts of the particular fuel, to prevent the formation of wax particulates at low temperatures. Diesel and no. 2 heating oil fuels are contemplated uses.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An antigel composition comprising (a) 10-70 wgt % of a polar, oxygenated, long chain hydrocarbon having an acid number from about 25 to about 125;   (b) 5-50 wgt % of a glycol ether hydrophilic precipitant;   (c) 5-60 wgt % of a low molecular weight addition copolymer; and   (d) 5-30 wgt % of an alcoholic compatibilizing agent; whereby the composition prevents wax plugging of a 10-micron fuel filter at about -17° F.     
     
     
       2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the oxygenated hydrocarbon has an acid number from about 50 to about 100. 
     
     
       3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the oxygenated hydrocarbon has a molecular weight of about 250 to about 500 and a saponification number of about 30 to 250. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the alcoholic compatibilizing agent is a hexanol. 
     
     
       5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the glycol ether is diethylene glycol methyl ether. 
     
     
       6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the wgt % proportions are: oxygenated hydrocarbon 30-50   low molecular wgt copolymer 30-50   alcoholic compatibilizer 10-20   hydrophilic precipitant 10-30.   
     
     
       7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the low molecular weight copolymer has a molecular weight less than 2,000. 
     
     
       8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the copolymer is one of ethylene and vinyl acetate. 
     
     
       9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the copolymer is one of ethylene and vinyl acetate. 
     
     
       10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the oxygenated hydrocarbon has an acid number of 50 to 100 and a saponification number of 75-200, the hydrophilic precipitant is a glycol ether, the addition copolymer is ethylene-vinyl acetate, and the alcoholic compatibilizer is a hexanol. 
     
     
       11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the contents by weight percent are approximately: oxygenated hydrocarbon 40   glycol ether 10   copolymer 40   hexanol 10   
     
     
       12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the glycol ether is diethylene glycol methyl ether. 
     
     
       13. In combination; (a) a fuel comprising diesel or No. 2 heating fuel; and   (b) an antigel composition comprising, (i) a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon having an acid number from about 25 to about 125;   (ii) a glycol ether precipitant,   (iii) a low molecular wgt addition copolymer, and   (iv) an alcoholic compatibilzer, whereby when the antigel composition is present in an effective amount of about 1 part antigel to 1,000-3,000 parts fuel, wax plugging of a 10-micron fuel filter is avoided at about -17° F.       
     
     
       14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the alcoholic compatibilizer comprises hexanol. 
     
     
       15. An antigel composition consisting essentially of: (a) a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon having an acid number from about 25 to about 125, a saponification number from about 30 to about 250, and a molecular weight from about 250 to about 500;   (b) a glycol ether hydrophilic precipitant;   (c) an alcoholic compatibilizing agent; and   (d) an addition copolymer having a molecular weight less than about 2000.   
     
     
       16. The antigel composition of claim 15, wherein the alcoholic compatibilizer is a hexanol. 
     
     
       17. The antigel composition of claim 16, wherein the addition copolymer is one of ethylene and vinyl acetate. 
     
     
       18. The antigel composition of claim 15, wherein the glycol ether is diethylene glycol methyl ether. 
     
     
       19. In combination; (a) a fuel comprising diesel or No. 2 heating fuel;   (b) an antigel composition consisting essentially of (i) polar oxygenated hydrocarbon having an acid number from about 25 to about 125; a saponification number from about 30 to about 250, and a molecular weight from about 250 to about 500;   (ii) diethylene glycol methyl ether;   (iii) an alcoholic compatibilizing agent; and   (iv) a low molecular weight copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate; whereby when the antigel compositiion is present in an effective amount of about 1 part antigel to about 1000-3000 parts fuel, wax plugging of a 10-micron fuel filter is avoided at about -17° F.